Gluten Free, Flourless Pumpkin Pancakes

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ImageDo you ever have days you just want to have pancakes? You envision yourself at Ihop digging in to a Silver Five.

However, you are trying to live a gluten free life, have a wheat allergy or you’re simply just watching your weight! Shucks – pancakes don’t usually fall into the category of ‘foods you can eat.’

Don’t fret – I found this awesome recipe online from Undressed Skeleton once again that will turn your pancake frown upside down. Gluten Free, Flourless, Pumpkin Pancakes.

Is this for real – you might ask? Yes – it’s for real and so simple to make. Let’s get cooking.

You will need: 1 cage free egg, ¼ cup canned pumpkin puree (you know, the cans you buy for pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving), 1 cap full of vanilla extract, 1 scoop whey protein powder (make sure it’s gluten free) and 1 tbsp. cinnamon.

Add the protein powder, egg, vanilla, pumpkin and cinnamon into a large mixing bowl – and stir away! Turn on your stove-top – and spray a pan with cooking spray. Scoop out a spoonful of this yummy mixture onto the frying pan. And cook away. You will make these again, I assure you.

Add syrup as desired. If you are watching your sugar intake, I’d use this moderately. But, you can add low-fat whipped cream to the top or how about berries? The choices are endless. And, a flourless pancake does exist. Yay – this is incredible.

Bacon, Egg & Avocado Appetizer

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beaappetizerI mean with a combination like bacon, avocado and eggs how could it taste bad?

This is such a cute little idea for an appetizer at a dinner party. I made the mistake of trying to make it a main course; but, these cute little bursts of richness would be perfect to set out on a serving plate while you mix and mingle with dinner guests. Remember to eat them with a fork.

These are so easy to make and of course *gluten free.* All you will need is: avocados (I used 2 large ones), cage free eggs (1 per avocado half) and some turkey bacon (let’s be a tad healthier here!)

First cut the avocados in half and scoop out a lot of the inside. Create a nice little pocket to place the egg in. Do this to all your avocados. Keep the excess avocado for a salad or another dish the next day.

Next crack open the eggs and pour the yolk and all right into the hole in the avocado. My avocados tended to lean, and some of the yolk ran out – so make sure those halves of avocado are level before you crack the egg over them.

And – then cut up some turkey bacon and sprinkle these pieces on top of your little avocado bowls.

Preheat the oven to 425 – and bake the avocados for about 20 minutes. I would just check on them from time to time. You may need to bake longer than 20 minutes if you like your eggs well done.

Let them cool for about 10 minutes and dig in!

And She Wears White From Head To Toe

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flowers whiteAnd she will be who he adores – this is what he made her for…

When someone dries your tears. When someone wins your heart and says you’re beautiful. When you don’t know you are. And all you long to see is written on his face – love has come and finally set you free on that wedding day. – Casting Crowns

You are who Christ adores. You are his princess, His daughter, His bride.

Ladies, please rest in your beauty. You were fashioned by the King of Kings – the Maker of All.

He held a paintbrush up to your face and created a workmanship. He looked at you and said, “This is very good.” He chiseled your body and colored your eyes.

And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. – Genesis 1:31

Walk in assurance that you possess wonderful skills, ultimate radiance and a light that can never be extinguished in Jesus Christ. He adores you. All you long to see is written in His face – dear one. Always remember that. Hold it in your heart.

Listen to this Casting Crowns song, here.

Minty Green Ginger Energy Juice

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ImageSometimes when I am feeling a bit sluggish, I pull out my huge juicer. Today I had one of those mornings – I was lacking those little green vitamins that juice provides me. Decided to make some healthy, fresh juice. My body thanked me, believe me.

Usually I add carrots; however, wanted to make a greenish hue drink today (maybe it was that BAYLOR PRIDE springing forth) – but also wanted to use up a few of the cucumbers that I had in the fridge.

Man, this combo of fruits and veggies was so refreshing this morning. Wanted to share the recipe – it gave me the jolt of energy that I needed for work and concentration. Give this a try – you will love it. It’s like a natural Red Bull.

I added all these things to the juicer: 1 cucumber, 1 lemon, a chunk of ginger, a handful of spinach, 2 small apples and 2 springs of mint leaves.

The benefits of fresh juice are endless. Check out 10 benefits of juicing raw fruits and vegetables here. Also adding lemon and ginger to the juice helps relieve inflammation and also serves as an aid in digestion. This is naturally *gluten free.*

If you don’t have a juicer – invest in one! Really, no joke, it’s for your health. God gave us this one body to take care of – choose the foods you put in your body wisely.

Gluten Free Dark Chocolate Icing

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icingAlright – this makes my mouth water just saying dark chocolate icing, but add in “gluten free” = I am in heaven. Not to mention there are no preservatives in this mix whatsoever.

I have always loved DOVE Dark Chocolate. It melts in your mouth; however, you can never just stop at eating one. And, really, who knows all that is in that processed piece of goodness.

Well, now you can make your own natural dark chocolate icing with just 3 simple ingredients. It’s pretty rich – so, I’d stop at just one helping.

You will need a food processor or blender for this. All I did was add in: 1 ripe avocado, 3 1/2 tbsp. honey (please use local honey!) and 3 1/2 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder.

Then blend this all together. It makes a rich paste that is fantastic. If you think your icing is too think – try adding in a splash of coconut milk. That should do the trick.

I was a little skeptical at first; but this is utterly AMAZING. Don’t believe me – try it for yourself. It is that easy and you will think you are a master chef after making this recipe. Delicious.

Author Spotlight: Mark Batterson,The Circle Maker

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circle maker

Order the book and get a look inside, here.

Praying – it is one of the most underrated practices in the Christian life. When life gets tough or even if it’s going well, we lean on our own understanding. We try to figure out a way to make things better in our own power.

We forget that praying has moved mountains, it’s caused manna to rain from the sky, it’s opened the heavens and summoned rain – prayer is one of the Christian’s most powerful weapons. Yet, it is the least used. That doesn’t make sense.

It is a practice that stirs the heart of God – and rouses his throne room. Prayer is like the stitches to a patchwork quilt. It holds us together. In Mark Batterson’s book, The Circle Maker, he teaches us the importance of prayer. He writes, “Drawing prayer circles around our dreams isn’t just a mechanism whereby we accomplish great things for God. It’s a mechanism whereby God accomplishes great things in us.” He teaches this principle through a life story – a real example – of someone who dared to rely on his prayer to God. He trusted and waited – and his prayer prevailed.

You should definitely check it out. And also – August 6th a children’s version of this book was released. This is awesome news. Order this for your kids, little ones in your lives, your grandchildren – it is so important to ingrain in young minds the power of prayer.

It’s so humbling to hear little ones come to the throne room of grace in beautiful communication with the King of Kings. The truths in this book shimmer from the illustrations, as well as, the words. Thank God for people who publish stories that enrich the lives of others.

Midnight Chickpea Munchies

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ImageEver get hungry late into the evening? You have tried your hardest to fend off those ice cream or pretzel cravings – however, waiting too long into the night gets the best of you. You feel your tummy grumble unhappily and you end up giving in and diving into a favorite not so good for you treat.

Believe me; I’ve done that – full admittance here. However, wouldn’t’ it be nice to have a good for you treat in the house, in case those cravings get the best of you?

Well, now you can – midnight chickpea munchies! Baked in the oven for crispiness perfection, these little guys are actually a good option to snack on when you have to have that crunchy treat. And, they are *gluten free.* By now, I hope you are catching on that I really don’t make a dish that isn’t gluten free.

You will need: 2 cans of chickpeas, 2 cap fulls of olive oil, 2 tbsp. cumin, 1 tbsp. chili powder and 1 heaping tbsp. garlic powder. You can also salt and pepper to taste.  

I start with pouring the chickpeas into a mixing bowl and adding all the ingredients in one at a time. Preheat the oven to 350. Line a long baking sheet with foil (I generally spray the foil with cooking spray too) and pour out the seasoned chickpeas onto the pan.

Bake for about 25 minutes – or a little longer for a crunchier taste. Yum! Snack on this at night instead of that fat filled favorite food!

Bunny Yoga and Breathing

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ImageWell, not really bunnies, but bunny drawings. Ran across this cute little illustrated morning yoga routine sequence and had to try the sequence. Loved it.

This is a great way to start any morning. I would recommend trying this cute sequence below – repeat it about 6 times. You will be sure to feel this in your legs and arms.

Also this is a perfect thing to do before shuffling off to work. I know how hard it is to fit in that morning workout. Sometimes it’s impossible.

However, this yoga sequence will take you about 10 -15 minutes in the morning (depending on how long you hold each pose.) And it will open your lungs and start your breathing pattern for the day off on a good note.

So often – we hold our breath in stressful situations (my problem!). Doing yoga as a daily workout, even if it is just 10 minutes, helps that stress in your chest and reminds you to fill up your lungs with good, clean, deep air.

Breathing can aid in numerous things – it detoxifies, releases tension, relaxes the mind and brings clarity, relieves emotional problems, massages your organs, strengthens the immune systems and much more.

You are Blessed, Beloved.

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ImageGod calls us his ‘beloved.’ I love that term, it is such an endearing word. It means, ‘a much loved person, dearly loved.’

I imagine a groom looking up at his sweet bride and calling her darling – for she is so cherished in his eyes. You are cherished in the eyes of God. Cherished more than the crown jewels!  Cherished more than that young groom cares for his bride.

You are God’s masterpiece – His creation – knitted together in your mother’s womb by His hands. We cannot comprehend how great our Father’s love is for us!

Loneliness is a common feeling (especially in the social media times we live in). Communication is constant but not as meaningful, creating a void in our souls.

However, what an awesome feeling to know that your Father is by your side at all times. How wonderful and weighty to realize he sent his son to die on that cross for you. And as Jesus died, he thought of you being his ‘beloved.’ That was his goal – that was His ultimate love.

Remember – if you are feeling down or unloved that God loves you more than the heavens and the earth. Jesus died for you – and looks at you like a cherished artwork that has been on display for centuries.

You are his ‘beloved.’ If you need to say it over and over again in the mirror – do it. Feel his love. It’s always there. Look in the mirror and say – Christ died for me and calls me his beloved, his cherished one!

For your Maker is your husband, the Lord of hosts is his name; and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth he is called. – Isaiah 54:5

Very Skinny Brownies

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ImageShut the front door – a skinny brownie? That’s right – a VERY skinny brownie, in fact. It’s also *gluten free* and packed with loads of fiber. Sounds almost too good to be true; but, it’s true and you too can make this healthy, jaw dropping dessert.

I got this recipe from Undressed Skeleton’s blog. She has the best ideas. Love them. I modified this recipe to my own taste below.

Get cooking – this would be perfect for a little healthy dessert tonight. Satisfies that sweet tooth and fills you up! No more of wanting to eat a whole tray of brownies (I’ve been there!), you’ll be satisfied with 2 (but, no worries, if you are not – these are guilt free – a whopping 2.5 grams of fat each!) Eat one for me!

You will need: 2 bananas, 3 tbsp. ground flax seed, 3 tbsp. chia seeds, 2 tbsps. sweet leaf (or any natural sweetener), 1/2 tbsp. baking powder, 1/2 tbsp. baking soda, 2 scoops whey protein powder, 2 heaping tbsps. cocoa powder & 1 cap full vanilla extract.

First put the bananas in a food processor or blender – blend away! Then pour out this goodness into a mixing bowl. Add all the dry ingredients and stir them in good. Taste the mixture (just for fun, it tastes great!) Mist a pan with cooking spray and empty the brownie mixture in the tin.

Preheat the oven to 350 and pop the very skinny brownies in for about 15 minutes or less.